Dealing with autism can be a grueling journey, and Santa Barbara’s Cara Gamberdella is going to embark on one of her own next month to help the cause. Cara and her sister, Jenn, will be running the Boston Marathon in honor of their nephew, Genaro Gamberdella, who suffers from severe autism.
“Team Gamberdella” has already raised $9,000 for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, and is now focusing efforts towards a more local cause, the Dos Pueblos Little League Challengers Division.
Please read this recent e-mail sent out by Cara which explains all the details on what the team is doing and how you can help:
Hi All,
Many of you already may know that on April 19, 2010, I will be joining my sister in running the Boston Marathon in honor of our nephew Genaro Gamberdella (age 11). You may also know that Genaro is severely autistic and we are running this race to raise funds and awareness for autism, research and for families affected with special needs kids.
TEAM GAMBERDELLA is made up of me, my sister Jenn (who lives in Boston and is tackling her SIXTH Boston Marathon in G’s honor) and my sister-in-law Liz. Unfortunately for Liz, training for the marathon has resulted in a stress fracture in her femur. She will not be at the starting line with us…but she, my brother Marc, Genaro and his sisters Gianna and Lia will all be making the trip to Boston to watch the race.
Genaro Gamberdella
In order to have an entry in the prestigious race, we each had to raise $3000 for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism…an affiliated non-profit with race sponsors. Due to the generosity of so many friends, colleagues and family we raised over $9000 for the Flutie Foundation within the first three weeks.
Since then, we have turned our fundraising sights to a local non-profit that Genaro and many special needs kids participate in – the Dos Pueblos Little League Challengers Division. This program gives special needs kids the opportunity to take part in America’s pastime…baseball and the Little League experience. Every Saturday the Challengers are teamed up with a Little League buddy who helps them through the game…hitting, throwing, running the bases. Not only do the special needs kids get to play ball, but the Little Leaguers also learn how to help and relate to their peers with special needs. It truly is a special program that has meant a lot to my nephew and all of the kids and families involved.
Please take a minute to see our team website at www.firstgiving.com/forgenaro2010 for more information about our effort, the Challengers and a truly heartfelt description from Liz about living with an autistic child. Our goal is to raise another $8,000 for the Challengers…and we are halfway there.
If you would like to donate, you can do so securely on-line at the website. Or you can write a check to Dos Pueblos Little League – Challengers Division and mail it to me at the address on the website.
Please take a look at all of the generous colleagues, family and friends who have contributed to our cause already. The link will take you to our fundraising for the Challengers….and there is another link on there that will take you to the list of those who contributed to our earlier effort for the Flutie Foundation. We are truly blessed by all of the generosity surrounding this effort.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please call or e-mail if you have any questions. And…if you see me out running give a honk and a wave…I can use the encouragement!!
You can also check us out on Facebook by clicking here.
Warmest Regards,
Cara Gamberdella
Other relevant links:
Dos Pueblos Little League Challengers Division
Previous TEAM GAMBERDELLA Website (with fundraising going to Flutie Foundation)
The Doug Flutie Jr Foundation for Autism
